The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-08-25

ACQUITTED.-Monday morning e. E.
Davidson young white man representing
himself to be travelling salesman for
John A. Gill Il Co., and VIM. E. French,
Petersburg, was in town and applied to
Lew Green at A. r. Anglea's store to cash
a draft OH J. A. Gill & Co., for Sl2 90. Mr..
Green had had a slight business acquaint-
ance with Davidson in Petersburg, and
knowing that he was travelling for some
house short while ago, accommodated him
thinking of course the draft would be hon
ored. A short while later Chief of Police
Switzerland received kilograms from We'll
don and WarrentOn to arrest Davidson
Learning this Mr.. Green got uneasy about
the matter of the draft and proceeded to
look for the man. lie was soon Overtaken
at Bowen's store near town, and brought
money and some goods he had bought at
Anglea'S on account of the draft and was
held to answer the charge of obtaining
money under false pretenses. The trial
was set for o'clock. Mr.. Walter r.
Henry had been asked to appear for David
son but as the requirements in regard to
paying him fee could not be complied
with, and doubtless thinking the fellow
guilty, Mr.. II. would not be retained
Later brother of Davidscn's telegraphed
Mr.. II. L. Watkins to appear in the mat
ter and he would be responsible for the
pay, &c. The case came up at o'clock
before Mayor Davis. Mr.. Green was the
principal witness and his testimony failed
to substantiate the charges set forth in the
warrant. At this junctnre Mr.. Henry ex-
planned to the court that he had been asked
to appear in Mr.. Davidson's behalf and
why he had not done so, but believing as
he did that the man was innocent, under
the law, of the Offense for which he stood
charged, he had determined to make a
speech and set forth the law as he inter-
preted it, with the consent of Mr. Watkins
by whom the case was conducted, and that
of the Court. Mr.. Watkins made the open.
ing speech and his argument was a good
one. Mr.. A. G. Zollicoffer attorney for
the town followed in strong and impas-
stoned speech for the prosecution. He said
| he had no desire to see an innocent man
punished, that he had no feeling against
| Mr.. Davidson. had never seen him before
and only appeared that the rights and
property of the people of the town might
| be protected. He made forcible speech
and asked that the prisoner be sent on il
in the judgment of the Court the facts i'm
the case so warranted. Mr.. Henry made
a strong and eloquent appeal for justice
without reward or the hope of it-simply
| for love of doing good alone. Such an ac
was but the generous prompting of big
and sympathetic heart, and many were the
encomiums paid him for his manly course
under these circumstances. While the fel
low may have been very guilty wretch
and upon general principle deserved to bt
punished, it was not so proven in the cas-
for which he was tried. He simply drew
a draft on firm in Petersburg and go. il
| cashed. 1t had never been presented and
no one knew but what it would have beer
.honored all right. The fact that Davidson
was wanted i'm two or three other place:
alarmed Mr.. Green and the GOLD LEAF
doubts not it is we'll he got his money
back as he did. 1t seems that the fellow
has drawn drafts in several other places
and it is for offenses Of this kind that he i.
wanted. When he was released Monda,
afternoon constable Macon from Warren
ton was here with the necessary papers ant
took Davidson into custody and back hom.
with him. We learn that the cases against
him there are of a grayer nature and tina
he was committed to Jail after prelim.
mary trial.